Kala Pani Jail

Kala Pani Jail

Kala Pani Jail, also known as the Cellular Jail, is a historic colonial prison located in the Andaman and

Nicobar Islands of India. In English, the name translates as:

Kala Pani = Black Water

So, ‘Kala Pani Jail’ in English is often referred to as:

Cellular Jail (Black Water Prison)

Why ‘Black Water’?

·   The term ‘Kala Pani’ comes from the Hindi words:

·   ‘Kala’ = Black

·   ‘Pani’ = Water

·   It symbolizes the deep seas surrounding the islands, which were considered

                 uncrossable, and the idea of being sent far away, beyond return – a form of

                of social and civil death.

Historical Importance

·   Built by the British in the late 19^th century.

·   to exile and imprison Indian freedom fighters and political prisoners.

·   Famous inmates included Veer Savarkar, Batukeshwar Dutt, and Used others.

Today, it’s a national memorial and a symbol of India’s struggle for independence.